Remembering Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his death anniversary

On the 15th of December, Friday, at the Harrow's Sangat Centre, a programme was organised in memory of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of the greatest men in our history and a key figure in the annals of our independence struggle. The event featured songs about Sardar Patel, patriotic songs, and informative and inspiring speeches about Sardar Patel's life. The programme, organised by the Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, was a resounding success and was organised by Mr. C. B. Patel, Mr. Maheshbhai Liloriya, and Mr. Kantibhai Nagda.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is recognised not only as a leader of Gujarat but also as a global figure and a great human being. Even in his childhood, he displayed courage and a strong will. Once, during his childhood, when he was suffering from a boil, a village-man was going to cure it by way of burning the boil in his armpit. However, the man got scared on seeing this boy but young Vallabhbhai took a burning rod in his hand and pressed against his boil. He excelled in his studies and legal examinations, and after passing the Bar-at-Law examination in England in 1910, he began his practice as a barrister. In 1913, he returned from England.
After a meeting with Mahatma Gandhi in Godhra, inspired by him, Sardar Patel actively participated in the freedom struggle and became a lifelong friend of Gandhi. Following his success in the Champaran Satyagraha, he aligned himself with Gandhi's principles and activities. In 1918, when a famine struck the entire district due to crop failure, farmers appealed to the British government for relief from taxes, but the British government did not provide any assistance. In response, Sardar Patel led a movement against the British and also started wearing Khadi garments in protest. After a prolonged struggle, the British government agreed to provide relief in taxes based on Sardar Patel's conditions. In 1928, Sardar Patel led a successful movement in Bardoli, where farmers protested against the unjust increase in land revenue.
After India gained independence, he played a crucial role in the integration of 562 princely states, showing extraordinary diplomatic skills. He also played a key role for the amalgamation of Hyderabad and Junagadh states. Rulers of both these states had to ‘run away’ from India. This act of skill and statesmanship is a historic event.
Today, as a true memorial to the unity of India, there stands a colossal statue of him, 592 feet tall, in Gujarat. Jai Bharat, Jai Sardar.